Birthdays

 Birthdays
Apr 282025
 

Lois Duncan (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1934; died Bradenton, Florida, June 15, 2016) wrote suspense novels for young adults. Her books include I Know What You Did Last Summer and Hotel for Dogs. She received the 1992 Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement. Children can learn more at: Lois Duncan.

Amy Hest (born New York, New York, 1950) has written close to 50 books for children. Her works include When Jessica Came across the Sea and Kiss Good Night. Children can visit her website at: Amy Hest.

Elena Kagan, Associate Justice

Elena Kagan

Elena Kagan (born New York, New York, 1960) became an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court on August 7, 2010. Prior to her Supreme Court appointment, she was the country’s first woman Solicitor General. Children could learn more at: Elena Kagan

Harper Lee (born Monroeville, Alabama, 1926; died Monroeville, Alabama, February 19, 2016) was a novelist. She is best known for her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The book received the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for Literature. She also wrote Go Set a Watchman, published in 2015.

James Monroe

James Monroe

James Monroe (born Westmoreland County, Virginia, 1758; died New York, New York, July 4, 1831) was the fifth president (1817-1825) of the United States. He established the Monroe Doctrine, and he acquired Florida from Spain. Prior to being president, eh served at Minister to France. Also, Robert Livingston and he negotiated the Louisiana Purchase. Children can visit a website at: James Monroe. Idea: Children could find out which capital city of an African country was named in honor of him.

Sir Terence David John “Terry” Pratchett (born Beaconsfield, United Kingdom, 1948; died Broad Chalke, United Kingdom, March 12, 2015 ) wrote fantasy books. His books include Pyramids and Night Watch. He received the 2011 Margaret A. Edwards Award for his body of works.

Marvin Terban (born Chelsea, Massachusetts, 1940) has written at least 28 wordplay books for children. His books include Your Foot’s on My Feet: And Other Tricky Nouns and Time to Rhyme. Children can view a video about him at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C7NF0FN5yw.

Zipper Was Patented by Gideon Sundback of Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1913

 Events
Apr 292025
 

Zipper Patent

Zipper was patented by Gideon Sundback of Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1913. However, it was not called a zipper until 1922 when the B. F. Goodrich Company used the term to describe fasteners on its galoshes. Prior to 1922, it was called a “separable fastener.” Idea: Children could make a list of non-clothing items that have zippers. For example, some school children’s binders have zippers. They could view the patent at: Zipper Patent.

Birthdays

 Birthdays
Apr 292025
 

Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington (born Edward Kennedy Ellington in Washington, DC, 1899; died New York, New York, May 24, 1974) was a jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer. He wrote over 2,000 compositions, including some for musicals, ballet, opera, and movies. He performed over 20,000 times in 65 countries with his jazz big band. One of his most famous pieces is It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing). Children can learn more at: Duke Ellington.

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William Randolph Hearst

William Randolph Hearst (born San Francisco, California, 1863; died Beverly Hills, California, August 14, 1951) became a media baron. At one time he owned 25 newspapers, several magazines, and a newsreel company. He is also remembered for building San Simeon, a huge estate in California. It had, among other luxuries, a zoo and an airport.

Zubin Mehta (born Bombay, India, 1936) is a renowned conductor. He received India’s highest award, the Padma Bhusan (Order of the Lotus) in 1967.

Ron Roy (born Hartford, Connecticut, 1940) has written over 60 books for children. He is best known for his A to Z mystery series and his Capital Mystery series. Children can visit his website at: Ron Roy.

Jill Paton Walsh (born London, England, 1937; died Huntington, England, October 18, 2020) wrote books for both children and adults. Her children’s books, numbering around 25, include The Dolphin Crossing and Fireweed.

George Washington Was Inaugurated President of the United States in 1789 in New York City

 Events
Apr 302025
 

George Washington

George Washington

George Washington was inaugurated President of the United States in 1789 in New York City. Idea: Present Presidents are inaugurated on January 20 in Washington, DC. Children could try to figure out why George Washington’s inauguration was in April (instead of January) and in New York City (instead of Washington, DC). They could also read a transcript of his speech at: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/inaugtxt.html.

Happy Birthday, Louisiana!

 Events
Apr 302025
 

Louisiana State Flag

Louisiana State Flag

Louisiana became the eighteenth state of the United States in 1812. It ranks thirty-first in area and twenty-first in population. The state was named after King Louis XIV of France, and Baton Rouge is the capital. Children could visit a website at: Louisiana. Idea: New Orleans, a major city in Louisiana, hosts Mardi Gras every year. Mardi Gras, meaning “Fat Tuesday,” is a big tradition held the day before Ash Wednesday. Parades, parties, and feasts mark the day. Consider having a Mardi Gras celebration in the classroom.

Birthdays

 Events
Apr 302025
 

Mary Dimmick Harrison.jpg

Mary Dimmick Harrison

Mary Scott Lord Dimmick Harrison (born Honesdale, Pennsylvania, 1858; died New York, New York, January 5, 1948) was the second wife of Benjamin Harrison, twenty-third president of the United States. She married Harrison after he left the White House.

Dorothy Hinshaw Patent (born Rochester, Minnesota, 1940) has written over 100 nonfiction books for children. Her books include Big Cats and The Right Dog for the Job. Children could visit her website at: Dorothy Henshaw Patent.

Michael J. Smith (born Beaufort, North Carolina, 1945; died January 28, 1986) was captain of the Challenger, the space shuttle that disintegrated in 1986. Children could learn more at: Michael J. Smith.

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